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Small, compact white heron with relatively short yellow bill.
WA: Rare
At a glance
FamilyHerons, Egrets, and Bitterns
SizeGiant
RarityCommon
HabitatMarshes, estuaries, river edges, mangroves, mudflats, and shallow water.
Best timeMost reliable in Victoria from April to June.
Range map
Range map
2466visible hotspots
39809visible records
6states
SparseModerateDense hotspot
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
In the breeding season, look for bright orange head and breast, as well as a brighter bill. Leg color varies from reddish or yellow during the breeding season to black during the nonbreeding season. Juveniles have dark bill. Always note relatively short, thick neck and short legs compared with other egrets.
Behavior
More often seen in dry habitats than other egrets, but also frequent in rice paddies and shallow wetlands. Often gathers in flocks, frequently following large animals and field machinery.
Gallery